So this was my creative project of the day... It only took me a couple hours (and probably could have been much faster if I hadn't been interrupted... multiple times... but whatever). I found the pattern HERE. I used a scrap 1/2 yard of funky Roy Rogers fabric I was compelled to buy several years ago and a scrap ribbon. I didn't actually measure anything. It was really, really, simple. And I feel quite accomplished and proud of myself.
I found these pictures on my computer last night while I tried to upload ALL the pictures I have of them together (for a "Sister" album I've decided to make using my free Snapfish album). I love this series of shots because it perfectly captures the way they are with each other EVERY day. They have this much fun, laugh this hard, and want to be physically with each other every single day. In this giant lottery of life and personalities....I am so happy that they got each other.
You know what I find so freaking frustrating about maintenance? That there is just NO correlation between a good week scale wise and a good week action wise. I mean seriously. I think this is a major part of what has made it so hard for me to toe the line the last few months.
I'll be 100% on board with my plan.. workout a ton... eat in range... and there will be no loss. Or a loss followed by a gain. Or a gain. Then I'll get mad and frustrated and I won't stick to my plan the following week or two and that's when I lose weight.
The past 2 weeks have been horrible. I've hardly worked out. Last week I made the dreaded White Trash again... and... ate it all. This week I was too tired (and that's legit) to workout... and I made chocolate covered chex mix... and... ate it all... and my weight is DOWN. What the fuck?!!
You'd think I'd be excited about the loss... or about the fact that I'm finally back in my maintenance range... or that after 3 months my body fat has finally budged a teeny tiny 1.5 % down. But I'm not as super happy about it as I might have once been. Because I've found maintaining weight loss to be a very VERY slippery slope with very little consistency on both my part and my body's. It was much easier when I was losing weight... and there was a more consistent and direct reward (or punishment) for commitment.
When you work hard and get the result you are looking forward to it helps motivated you to stick with your program the next week. Instead I find I start every week back in the same spot of *trying* to motivate myself to give it another try. It's tiring and maddening at times. I've felt like I've completely lost touch with my body ... which has been hard. During weight loss I finally felt that I'd figured my body out and I was getting maximized results for that understanding.
Now I'm grappling to find that delicate balance again... and I keep missing the mark. Sure I'm down this week, but my intake and exercise level was seriously sub-par and I'm sure I'll see the gain next week. And that is frustrating and kind of knocks the wind from sails.
I've been thinking about my Compacting Christmas and what all I can stuff in my gift boxes in a big way. In that vein I've spent a fair amount of time trolling for handmade craft/gift ideas to stuff into them. And let me tell you I've found the holiday craft site of my dreams (thank you Marie!!). If you are remotely crafty (and I mean that as in funky cool crafts sort of way) you NEED to check out this fantastic craft blog. Scroll through the November archives for endless holiday craft ideas and tutorials. I've basically been living here. I've found so many amazing holiday craft ideas... if only I had time (and two free hands) to make some of them.
********NOTE********* Baby is out of her mind and getting a chance to sit down and type is very difficult. But I will try. I might have to leave off in the midst and return later.... just a little fyi. *************************
You may recall that instead of spending 50ish bucks per person on my list (not counting Mr F or the kids) I've decided to send out gift boxes (using the USPS flat rate boxes... which are free and they will drop at your door and cost about $9 to ship out) filled with homemade treats, ornaments painted by the kiddos, and pictures. My plan is to divide my list into 3 groups and start sending out the first group the first week in December, followed by the 2nd group the 2nd week...and so on. This breaks up the stress of getting things out and makes the baking and crafting more enjoyable. There are a couple of side benefits of this shipping schedule... we'll be making our Christmas cookies all through the season instead of in a rush the week before Christmas.... some we'll send and some we'll eat ourselves. And we're allowing the recipients to start enjoying the season earlier too. I'm also thinking that this will put a much bigger emphasis on giving rather than getting for the kids. We'll be giving for 3 solid weeks before they get to open anything. In the past I've done all the shopping and wrapping and the *giving* part of Christmas was probably not even noticed by the kids.
So right now I'm still brainstorming what we can fit into the box to ramp up it's enjoyment value without upping the cost much. Here are my plans: 2 kinds of cookies caramel popcorn painted ornaments pictures of kids (some framed) small toys for little kids on the list (under $5) Christmas music CD (copied or a mix... new idea!) I might try and make something like THIS for some people
I'm still working on ideas... send yours along!
Also my Compacting Christmas idea for Mr F and I is to make wish lists ($200-300 each). Then the week after Christmas we will buy the things on the list (when they are on sale) and whatever is saved... will be saved. We'll exchange stocking on Christmas.
History buff alert (hello Katieo) Black Blizzard was fascinating and I'm headed off to the library to get THIS.
HERE is a link to get a FREE 8 x 11 custom cover photo book from Snapfish.
Okay some people are having trouble getting the link to work. Go HERE and follow the link on Oprah's site (it's in the paragraph below the main picture) back to Snapfish.
While you're here... lay down your Biggest Loser impressions! I was on the edge of my seat last night. I was also flipping that bitch Vicky the bird during her weigh in. I've never hated anyone on TV the way I hate her. Next week is going to be insane.
misc: ranch dressing 2.79* enchilada sauce 1.49 can of pumpkin puree 2.49* dried cranberries 3.29* 3 bottles sparkling water 3.57 2 bottles mineral water 3.58
from the bulk section: yogurt covered raisins 2.17* dried papaya 0.63* 2.15 lbs all purpose flour 3.63 .77 lbs quick oats 1.30
produce: 2 kiwis 0.82 tomato 0.55 avocado 1.29 4 small bananas 1.12 1.72 lbs broccoli 5.14 plum 0.70 green bell pepper 1.89 onion 0.57 2 heads red leaf lettuce 2.93 1 lb bag baby carrots 1.89 1.09 lb red grapes 3.26
dairy: 1 gallon 2% 5.99 1 quart 1/2 & 1/2 3.99 one dozen local eggs 3.69 7 oz mexican style shredded cheese 5.39
fish/meat: 4 oz smoked salmon 6.79 7 oz Applegate farms sliced turkey 4.99
Total 80.31
* impluse buys
Now this is half my normal bill. I didn't buy any bread, coffee, fresh meat, or fresh fish this week.
Diet & Exercise: I'm going to just do the best I can. I'm going to track my calories and still stick to 1800. I'm going to set up my reformer and get back into the pilates.
Errands & Chores: Baby is pretty sick. I'm tired. Not much is getting done.
first off hire a sassy looking sous chef... it helps blend in large bowl: 3 c all purpose flour (I used bread flour) 1.5 t salt 1.5 t sugar dissolve 2 t yeast in 1 c warm water add to flour mixture and stir to combine until it forms a ball (you may need a bit more water)
knead on lightly floured surface for 5 minutes... being careful not to add too much flour
let rise in oiled bowl for 30 minutes
punch down dough and divide into 6 equal pieces.
shape into animals (basically oval rolls... it's not rocket science) place on parchment lined baking sheet (or oiled) let rise 30 minutes
bake in 375 degree oven until golden (about 17 minutes)
Late last night, after the kids were in bed, Mr F and I transformed ourselves deep into character.
Mr F was clearly Huron and was menacingly wielding a wooden dragon as a tomahawk. Mrs F, one of The Last Of The Mohicans, was displaying her mad cliff jumping skills as she hurled herself off the ottoman attacking Mr F with her long bladed ax (arms).
You know when you were a kid and you were lying in bed not wanting to fall asleep because you were afraid you were missing out on all the fun. Well our kids actually are.
Except when otherwise noted all recipes are the personal and creative property of Mrs Furious. Although you are welcome to cook them up and share them with your neighbor.... any attempt to reprint or profit from them is not permitted.
